SAILING legend Sir Ben Ainslie took a trip down memory lane to reflect on London 2012 and said: “Just to be part of it all was a huge honour.”

Lymington’s Ainslie wrote his name into the history books as Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor by claiming his fourth gold medal with a triumph in the Finn class last summer in Weymouth.

Ainslie was also given the honour of being Team GB’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony.

In an interview with Yachts and Yachting, Ainslie said: “When I think back to the London parade and the thousands of fans cheering on the Team GB Olympians in the capital after our successes at the Games, I still get goose bumps.

“The Games was out of the norm for me personally as a lot of the build-up work was out of my home country, such a different mind-set to know that I was not far from my family and friends could come and visit.

“The team and I however, had to ensure we kept our minds firmly on medals and the final day of racing.”

Ainslie also told Echosport: “The train-ing based out of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy was ideal as we were launching from the competition venue and simulating what the Olympics this time round would feel like to some extent.

“I think the whole team benefited from a home Games for 2012.

“The atmosphere out on the Nothe was electric and it certainly drifted across to us out on the water, it’s definitely reassuring knowing your nation is behind you 100 per cent.

“My final race is the one I will never forget, there were literally thousands of people cheering. Weymouth and Portland will always have a special place in my heart not only for a gold medal win but also my last racing a Finn.

“I have five Olympic medals now and each has been a challenge of their own to win, the competition never gets any easier.

“It is always a relief to win as you have the fear that this year will not be a podium placing for you either through gear failure, health, a wrong tactical decision, an OCS or a taxing protest.

“Sailing requires so many different facets and this is highlighted in single-handed classes which are my discipline, you have to be quick, decisive and never question your first instinct.

“I am a director of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy alongside Helena Lucas who won a gold Paralympic Games medal and was a real inspiration to us all as she came through racing in the main Olympic dinghy fleets.

“I now want to ensure that the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy helps youngsters from the surrounding counties to learn how to sail and get into this sport.

“We need more clubs or academies to help grow water sports and provide a legacy.

"The RS Tera World Championship for youth sailors is currently running at the academy and it is wonderful to know so many overseas children are sharing a passion for the venue.

“It was very inspirational and the amount of people that turned out to cheer the team on was phenomenal – it’s good to look back and remember all of those wonderful memories.

“It was such a great reception and I think the fact the Paralympics were also such a success, and so positively received, was great for sport in this country.

“Since the Olympics I have spent most of my time in San Francisco working on the Oracle Team USA America’s Cup campaign.

“There have been a couple of times I have missed the Finn and the way you train for an Olympics because as a single-handed sailor you are totally in control of everything, it comes down to you and pretty much you alone.

“That is a completely different situation to an America’s Cup, where you have a huge team of people, both sailors on the water and the shore support, who are all working together for the end result.

“There are so many different pieces of the puzzle that need to come together to make it a success and that is really interesting to be a part of.

“After so many Olympic campaigns it is now really exciting to be part of a big team and to take on a challenge like the America’s Cup.

“We are also trying to help create a bit of a legacy in sailing with the launch of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

“After Bart’s death his family and friends wanted to do something to help young people get involved in sailing through mentoring and support.

“The foundation aims to help young sailors who have a bit of talent, and who would like to take their sailing career further, whether as a sailor, boat builder, sailmaker, or just something in the sailing industry.

“If we can help just one young person do that it will be a massive achievement, but of course we want to help as many young people into the sport of sailing as possible and that is our goal.

“Bart’s death shook me, no question. Sailing is a difficult career for families. It is hard constantly being on the road, trying to make relationships work.

“But yeah, I guess that moment (the near accident) was my answer. It was a real ‘well, what are you going to do? Give up? Or get back on the horse?’ Sailing is what I want to do.

“There is definitely a significant feel-good factor around sport in Britain at the moment and the success of the London 2012 Games has undoubtedly played a huge part in that. There has been a lot of talk about a legacy for London 2012.”

* Volvo Car UK has been a key sponsor of British sailing since 1999, supporting everything from youth development at grassroots through to Britain’s top sailors at the pinnacle of the sport. For more information go to volvocars.co.uk/sailing